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“Why don’t you go talk to those girls then and forget all about me? I’m sure there are lots of them here.”
He slides his hands into his pockets and arches a brow, akin to a puppy. “It wasn’t us, London. I promise.”
I narrow my brows. “What? It had to have been you; no one else is here.”
“This has Naomi written all over it. She did the same prank to some poor girl last year, too. She likes to initiate people.”
I blow out a breath. Naomi. It makes sense. I was wondering when she was going to pop up again.
“You just caught us off guard,” he continues, looking genuinely sorry. “You caught me off guard.”
Adorable—he looks adorable now as his eyes flash and he purses his lips together. My stiff body loosens, and while I believe him, I also hate how soft I’m already feeling. But still—
“It might have been Naomi who pulled the prank, but you were all laughing.” I keep my voice steady. “Getting acquainted? Really?”
He pauses. Those chestnut eyes drift back to my torso, to his sweater and my bare legs peeking out from under it. The same look he gave me before we were interrupted. How many girls has he given that look to?
“Well, weren’t we?” he asks, his face now serious. “Getting acquainted? I was just about to tell you how nice you look in my sweater before those idiots came out.”
I drop my chin to my chest to hide the blush creeping toward my cheeks. We stand for a couple of seconds, letting the silence linger between us.
He grabs my hands and my body jolts. “So will you forgive me?” he asks. “I’ll do anything.”
An idea forms in my mind. “Well… there is something.”
His eyes light up and he doesn’t let go of my hands. “What? Tell me. I’m dying to know what I can do to make you smile.”
I press my lips together. I can’t let this opportunity slide past me now that I have his attention. “Let me interview you for the story I’m doing on the Alaska trip. Right before the game would be best, I want to get a sense of your head space before you play.”
His lips cast upward. “You’re coming on the Alaska trip?”
“Yes. Does that surprise you?”
His hands are so soft, and mine are sweaty as he maintains his hold on them. He should have let go by now; instead, he circles his thumb in the soft spot between my thumb and index finger.
“In a good way, yes,” he says. “A bunch of nerds usually cover that trip.”
I frown and pull my hands away, lest should he capture my heart with his strong fingers. “I am a nerd.”
He snickers. “Sure, if that’s what you think. Just so you know, I rarely do interviews.”
“I only need ten minutes of your time, then we can forget about all this.”
He pauses to consider, and I think about all the reporters who must have hovered around the twins when Maison’s girlfriend died. “Okay, I’ll do it, just for you.”
I tilt my head. “What about Micah? Do you think he would agree?”
He shakes his head. “Micah doesn’t do interviews. He will never agree, not in a million years.”
Of course he doesn’t.
“Okay, just you, then.” I swallow and dare a glance up at him through my lashes.
He’s all flirty smiles. “Just me and you, London King. I guess I’ll be seeing you soon.”
Ignoring the swirl in my stomach from the way he says my name, I motion toward my car and get in. “Thanks for the sweater. I’ll get it back to you tomorrow.”
His eyes gleam as he steps toward the door. “Nah, you keep it. It looks much better on you, anyway.”
